Foundry's Approach to Investing in Early-Stage VC Funds with Jaclyn Freeman Hester

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Grady Becoming a Limited Partner (0:52)Networking and Mentorship (3:14)Understanding LP Dynamics (5:29)Job Satisfaction Among LPs (9:03)Understanding Corporate Innovation Needs (13:57)Connecting Startups with Limited Partners (15:22)Value Addition in Fund Manager Selection (18:30)Local Corporate LPs vs. State Money (20:22)Outside-In Investment Approach (22:51)Insider Segment: Implementing AI in VC and Portfolio Companies (24:14)The Importance of Data and Culture (28:35)Misuse of AI Terminology (30:54)AI Playbook for Executives (32:59)Key Qualities for GPs (34:51)The Role of Co-Investment (37:04)Avoiding Shiny Objects (38:58)Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Allocators (40:38)Grady Buchanan is an institutional and risk-based asset allocation professional. His focuses include venture capital fund investments as well connecting startup ecosystems across the globe. NVNG is focused on establishing stronger venture capital presences in regions throughout the US - managing a venture capital fund of funds tailored to meet the needs of local corporations and institutional limited partners. As a Founding Partner, Grady is responsible for the fund of funds portfolio, venture capital fund sourcing and diligence, and for investment allocation decisions.Grady is also the founder and CEO of OmniValley, an online social community exclusively for those looking to establish the right connections within entrepreneurial ecosystems. He’s built a strong and growing platform housing institutional investors, venture capital firms, accelerators, and individuals in efforts to connect under-ventured communities to sophisticated, strategic, and engaged investors, sponsors, and mentors.Bottega8 offers secure and cost-efficient AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning tailored for financial institutions. If you're concerned about the expense and complexity of building in-house AI teams, or worried about the privacy and security risks inherent in Big Tech AI APIs, we provide the ideal solution for your proprietary data.Bottega8's solution is specifically designed for institutional financial clients, including PE/VC funds, hedge funds, broker-dealers, traders, investment banks, and fintechs. By partnering with us, you eliminate the need for expensive AI engineers, hefty API fees, and complex technical roadmaps—reducing your AI development costs by up to 85%. If you're seeking AI Model Training and Fine-Tuning services that prioritize security and cost-efficiency without sacrificing Big Tech fidelity, we'd love to talk to you. http://www.bottega8.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Darren's Background and Career Journey (1:09)Thesis on Private Markets (5:11)History and Focus of Provenio Capital (6:42)Investment Structuring for Clients (10:22)Investment Process for New Managers (13:44)Current Interests in VC Managers (15:08)Building Relationships with VC Fund Managers (16:28)Understanding Venture in Portfolio Context (18:26)Insider Segment: Setting Institutional-Grade Back Offices (19:13)Operational Diligence in Fund Management (24:10)Minimum Investment Criteria for Clients (28:09)Trends for Allocators to Watch (30:12)Lessons Learned in Venture Investing (31:40)Parting Thoughts on Venture Portfolio (33:01)Current Opportunities in Early Stage Investments (34:34)Provenio Capital: Our specialization and expertise is the sourcing and diligence of alternative investment strategies across hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, real estate and direct deals. Our focus is to build portfolios that are less correlated to the broader markets, and our aim is to generate outperformance during periods of dislocation in order to produce excellent risk-adjusted returns for our clients with significantly less volatility.  As part of the overall investment process, we will aim to incorporate the appropriate planning and structure to maximize after-tax returns.Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Sean’s Background and Journey in VC (1:07)First Deal Learning Experience (3:22)Conviction in Allocating (5:08)User-Friendly LP Approach (7:35)Openness to Manager Relationships (11:19)Overview of Gresham Partners (12:14)Strategy on Smaller Investments (14:10)Macro Trends Influencing Venture Strategy (15:57)Influence of Families on Investment Strategy (19:52)Capital Pool Structure (22:00)Insider Segment: Best Practices for Emerging Managers (25:24)Identifying Client Needs (27:34)Distribution Trends (29:45)Investment Process Transparency (31:55)Adapting to Market Changes (33:48)Miscommunication in LP-GP Relations (37:05)Understanding GP-LP Dynamics (40:15)Building Relationships in the LP Community (42:06)Changes in Fund Strategies (45:28)AI's Impact on Investments (48:17)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (49:22)Sean Warrington is the Head of Private Investments at Gresham Partners where he seeks to build portfolios of world-class private equity and real asset managers. His primary responsibilities include developing, sourcing and executing private investments around the world. Prior to joining Gresham, Sean served as co-head of private markets for the Alfred I. duPont Charitable Trust, a $6.5 billion foundation based in Jacksonville, FL. He previously held positions in corporate finance at Lockheed Martin as well. Sean’s personal interests include watching sports (including esports!), reading science fiction and regular workouts.Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Anurag’s Background and Experiences in VC (1:05)Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics (2:26)The Importance of Transparency (5:33)Expectations of Returns (9:06)Emerging Manager Trends (11:30)Family Offices and Investment Strategies (12:49)Exploring Emerging Geographies (15:56)The Importance of Risk in Venture (17:53)Learning from Allocators (22:56)Insider Segment: Trends in Fund Structures (25:48)The Role of Fund Administrators (29:22)Benchmark Data in Fundraising (30:18)Investment Strategy Focus (32:17)Current Regulatory Landscape (35:01)Pension Fund's Venture Program Development (36:36)Investment Decision-Making Processes (40:02)Building Relationships with Pension Plans (42:06)Differentiating Fund Proposals (43:45)Overview of Race Global Conference (45:49)Trends in Fund Proposals (47:01)Criteria for Advising Family Offices (50:00)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (55:14)Anurag Chandra’s background encompasses billions of dollars of institutional investing and venture capital experience. He has also held three hi-tech startup senior operating roles reporting directly to founders/CEOs (two M&A exits to public companies). He has expertise in equity and debt and early and later-stage investments and has advised dozens of funds and family offices. His experience includes structuring principal transactions, including SPVs, debtor-in-possession purchases, and asset purchases/acquisitions.Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.comSwimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Lisha's Background and Journey in VC (1:44)Inspiration for Equity Charge (2:38)Angel Investing Data (4:36)Access to Venture Capital (6:02)Role of LP Investing (9:32)Advice for First-Time LPs (11:07)Valuing Early Backers (15:04)Economic Opportunity Fund at PayPal Ventures (16:14)Team Collaboration and Initiative (17:24)Advice for Other Organizations (20:00)Insider Segment: How Adoro Provides Scalable Solutions for VC Firms (21:09) Naming Adoro Advisors (23:27)Evolution of Fund Administration (25:37)Adoro's Unique Positioning (28:13)Synergy with Portfolio Companies (30:51)Building Synergistic Relationships (32:47)Diversity in GP Representation (33:39)Legacy of Racial Equity Movement (35:20)Investment Strategy and Portfolio Balance (37:42)Fintech Opportunities and Challenges (39:52)Adoption of Financial Technologies (42:10)Podcast "Sisters with Ventures" and Parting Thoughts (44:54)Lisha Bell has over 20 years of experience in technology innovation, specializing in digital money movement. She currently leads PayPal Ventures' Economic Opportunity Fund, a $100M investment in diverse emerging fund managers. Previously at PayPal, she led Product for the Financially Underserved Segment and Pay with Venmo. Prior roles include payments-related positions at Wells Fargo, Kohl’s, and Feedzai, where she developed early digital financial products like online banking and digital wallets. Lisha is cofounder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate supporting Black and Brown founders, and host of the Sisters with Ventures podcast. She previously led deal flow at Pipeline Angels and serves as board chair for Black Girl Ventures. Lisha holds a BSc from USC and MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and dancing, all while balancing motherhood duties with her daughter. Aduro Advisors is a trusted partner for venture capital fund managers, offering comprehensive and expert fund administration services. Known for being agile, responsive, and focused on making fund operations seamless, Aduro enables fund managers to concentrate on investing. With deep expertise across a variety of fund sizes and strategies, Aduro provides a full suite of services, including fund accounting and compliance. The firm understands the fast-paced nature of venture capital and prides itself on being as innovative and driven as the funds it supports. Aduro doesn’t just manage operations—they help funds scale. https://www.aduroadvisors.com Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Bradley's Background and Journey in Politics and VC (1:08)Regulatory Challenges in VC (3:18)Understanding Political Dynamics (4:18)Investment Strategies in Regulated Industries (6:00)Importance of Local Politics (9:33)California AI Bill Overview (11:25)Political Implications of the AI Bill (13:17)AI in Government Processes (16:08)Impact of AI on Legal Marketplaces (18:51)Sector-Specific Growth in GovTech (20:38)Political Influence on Tech Regulation (22:19)FTC's Mixed Impact on Innovation (24:13)Concerns Over Economic Policies (27:29)Mobile Voting Discussion (29:27)Impact of Low Primary Turnout (31:38)Political Survival vs. Public Safety (32:36)Mobile Voting Project Origins (34:15)Building Secure Voting Tech (35:26)Engaging Younger Generations (37:20)Impact of Technology on Voting (38:12)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (39:10)Bradley Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist, philanthropist and writer. He is the CEO and co-founder of Tusk Holdings, the world’s first venture capital fund that invests solely in early stage startups in highly regulated industries, and the founder of political consulting firm Tusk Strategies. Bradley’s family foundation is funding and leading the national campaign to bring mobile voting to all U.S. elections. Tusk Philanthropies also runs and funds anti-hunger campaigns that have led to the creation of anti-hunger policies and programs (including universal school breakfast programs) in 22 different states, helping to feed over 12.5 million people. Bradley is the author of The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups From Death by Politics and Obvious in Hindsight, writes a column for New York Daily News, hosts a podcast called Firewall about the intersection of tech and politics, and is the co-founder of the Gotham Book Prize. He recently opened a bookstore, podcast studio, event space and cafe called P&T Knitwear on Manhattan's lower east side. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Malcolm’s Background and Experience (0:10)Experience as an Allocator (2:43)LP Perspective on Investment Risks (4:07)Advantages of Smaller Check Writers (6:43)Criteria for Assessing Fund Managers (8:44)Exciting Opportunities in Healthcare and Deep Tech (12:09)Challenges of Sourcing Family Offices (15:06)Insider Segment: The Impact of AI on Hardware Ecosystems (18:30)Interest in Hardware Financing (21:15)Diversifying Capital Stacks (22:20)Formation of the Black LP Association (24:12)Growth of Diverse Emerging Managers (27:27)Challenges in Fundraising (30:34)Differentiation in Asian Markets (32:12)Value Addition as an LP (37:05)Internship Opportunities in VC (39:33)Building a Talent Pipeline (42:04)Final Thoughts on Market Opportunities (44:20)Malcolm Robinson founded and serves as the executive director of the Black Venture Capital Consortium (BVCC), which educates, trains and places top students from HBCUs into the venture capital and startup ecosystem. In addition, Mr. Robinson co-founded and is the executive director of the Black LP Association (BLPA). Prior to BVCC and BLPA, Mr. Robinson was a general partner at Avenue Capital Group where he launched Avenue's Asia investment management business in 1999 and grew it to over $5 billion AUM, opening 9 offices in 8 countries and building and managing a team of over 110 employees throughout China, India and Southeast Asia. The fund invested in private equity, distressed debt, nonperforming loans and mezzanine investments. Prior to joining Avenue in 1999, he was the chief investment officer for the Richmont-Parley Investment Company, a Hong Kong based investment company. Before that, he was a portfolio manager at The Pacific Group’s Asia Hedge Fund based in Hong Kong and affiliated with the U.S. based hedge fund, Tiger Management Corporation. The Asia Hedge Fund directly invested in long/short equities, convertible bonds, fixed income securities, currencies and derivatives. Prior to that, Mr. Robinson was an investment professional with the Prudential Investment Corporation. During his seven years at Prudential, he participated in $600 million of direct investments in private credit and private equity. Mr. Robinson founded the New Jersey Advocates for Education, a college scholarship program which has awarded scholarships to over 300 students from the greater Newark, NJ area. Mr. Robinson graduated with Honors with a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A&M University in 1987 and received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1994.Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Aakar's Career Journey (1:27)Evolution of Fairview's Investment Strategy (2:56)Impact of the Great Recession (3:06)Fairview's Investment Activities (5:22)Partnerships and New LPs (7:31)Direct Co-Investment Strategy (8:30)Differentiation from Other Fund of Funds (11:23)Chip on the Shoulder Mentality (13:31)Overlooked Opportunities in Diversity (15:01)Emerging Managers and Deal Flow (16:46)Insider Segment: Camber Road's Business Overview (00:17:37)Navigating Large Funding Offers (19:30)Strategic Work in Venture Capital (22:19)Anticipating New Fund Formation (25:20)Challenges of Starting a Fund (28:27)Understanding GP Counseling (31:00)Assessing Non-Traditional Managers (34:30)Maintaining LP Relationships (37:05)Current Investment Opportunities and Parting Thoughts (39:25)Fairview curates dynamic relationships for institutional investors, providing unparalleled access across the most compelling segments of the private markets: venture capital, diverse and emerging managers, and co-investment. Learn more: https://www.fairviewcapital.com/.Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Matt’s Background and Experience in VC (0:10)Challenges in Venture Capital Allocations (2:20)Understanding the Allocator's Perspective (4:32)Technology's Impact on Allocators (7:02)Direct Investments vs. Outsourced CIOs (10:04)Using Third-Party Reports for Performance Measurement (14:14)Understanding Performance Metrics (16:12)Venture Capital Landscape (17:50)Insider Segment: The Importance of Diversifying Funding Sources (19:31)Extending Your Runway and Preserving Equity (22:06)Engaging with Camber Road (22:57)Insurance Allocators' Strategy (24:55)MetLife's Venture History (26:40)Innovation Office Impact (27:53)New Pools of Capital (31:29)Balanced Portfolio Insights (34:25)Investment Strategies for New Investors (34:52)The Challenge of Investor Sentiment (37:00)The Importance of Manager Selection (40:09)Contrarian Investment Strategies (41:36)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (44:14)Matt Curtolo is a seasoned investor with 20+ years covering all functional areas of the private markets from both an allocator and investor lens. Most recently, he built the investment capability from the ground up at a fintech start-up called Allocate, focused on offering high-quality venture capital and alternative investment opportunities to a broader investor base. Previously, he was a co-manager of MetLife's Alternative Investments Portfolio and Head of Private Equity at a large independent OCIO. Matt began his career at Hamilton Lane (NASDAQ: HLNE) during its early growth, before it became the world's pre-eminent private markets allocator. Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:Lisa's LP Career Journey (1:05)Changes in the Venture Capital Landscape (4:21)Introduction to Screendoor (6:16)GP Advisory Services Explained (8:47)Portfolio Construction Approach (13:20)Analyzing Fund Ones (15:53)Investment of Time (17:44)Common Pitfalls for First-Time Managers (21:22)Legal and Operational Considerations (25:14)Insider Segment: Starting a New Venture (00:27:06)Understanding Equipment Financing (30:07)Lessons from the 2020-2022 Debt Cycle (31:55)Importance of Diversifying Funding Sources (36:10)The Value of Personal Stories in Fundraising (38:39)The Future of Venture Capital Evolution (00:44:17)Understanding Fund Management Challenges (46:17)Challenges Faced by LPs (48:04)Risk Management in Fund Commitments (50:16)Encouragement for Younger LPs (51:27)Final thoughts and takeaways (52:09)Lisa Cawley is the Managing Director at Screendoor, an investment platform that invests in new managers raising early institutional venture funds and building an enduring firm. At Screendoor, Lisa leads efforts to reshape the VC landscape by supporting new fund managers. Lisa leads the firm and is responsible for the entirety of Screendoor’s operations and investments. Her commitment extends beyond her professional roles, actively participating in initiatives like Global Women in VC, advocating for economic empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity in the ecosystem. Prior to Screendoor, Lisa worked with a private multi-billion-dollar global investment firm where she was involved in all aspects of managing the firm’s private market portfolio, including sourcing and manager due diligence, asset allocation and forecasting, and creating and implementing the firm’s investment data tools and analytics. Lisa started her career at Ernst & Young, & earned an MBA, MSF, and BBA from Loyola University Maryland. She is a CFA Charterholder and holds a CPA. Camber Road is the most cost-effective, flexible and nimble leasing company for venture-backed businesses. We are experienced, but not stodgy. We're hungry, like the startup companies we serve. And we hold every lease on our balance sheet. We finance business-essential equipment for venture-backed companies. We do one thing, and we do it better than the rest. Learn more at www.camberroad.com. Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.